Samsung Electronics Co, the world's biggest maker of computer-memory chips, may rise after industry researcher IDC forecast sales of semiconductors used in computers will grow 8.9 percent next year after no growth this year and a 35.5 percent decline last year.
In Taiwan, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (台灣積體電路公司), the world's largest supplier of made-to-order chips, may also gain.
singapore
Singapore Telecommunications Ltd may rise after Southeast Asia's biggest phone company said its US$2 billion Asian-wide cable signed up a new customer, Communications Authority of Thailand. Markets were closed on Friday.
Westpac Banking Corp and shares of other Australian lenders may decline on concern they will lower their profit forecasts at their annual meetings next week because of falling investment income.
Westpac Bank, Australia's third-largest lender, has its annual shareholder meeting on Dec. 12 while rivals Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd. and St. George Bank Ltd will hold their meetings the following day.
Commonwealth Bank of Australia last month said it will report a flat first-half profit because of lower investment returns at its fund management business. The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 Index has dropped 12 percent so far this year.
Commonwealth Bank's announcement "raised the risk awareness in the investment community," said Shawn Burns, who helps manage US$17 billion at Deutsche Asset Management Australia Ltd. "Equity markets are down and that's beyond their control."
He declined to say whether he was changing his holding of bank stocks.
Australian banks and insurers face a "less favorable" credit rating outlook because of the risk of slowing economic growth and investment market volatility, Standard & Poor's said on Thursday.
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